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The Fifth String
The Fifth String

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Fifth String is here in full — 212 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Fifth String
Context Illustration Reading 1/42 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
"And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"
Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."
"Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"
"Yes," I cried, startled at her candor, "to win your love."
Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Fifth String

Chapter II · Chapter 2

Chapter 2 of The Fifth String is here in full — 212 sentences across 43 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/42 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
"And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"
Line 2
Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."
Line 3
"Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"
Line 4
"Yes," I cried, startled at her candor, "to win your love."
Line 5
Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

Princess noun US /ˈprɪn.ses/

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading “Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."”

All words in this reading · 67

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

a

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

affected

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

And

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

answered

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

at

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Yes," I cried, startled at her candor, "to win your love."

awaken

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

breast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

but

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

can

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

candor

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Yes," I cried, startled at her candor, "to win your love."

coldly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

comes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

confess

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

cried

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Yes," I cried, startled at her candor, "to win your love."

desperately

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

ever

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

eyes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

fearlessly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

frankly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

half-closed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

has

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

heart

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

height

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

her

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Yes," I cried, startled at her candor, "to win your love."

honestly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

Hope

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

I

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

If

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

in

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

it

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

least

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

lives

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

love

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

my

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

not

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

one

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

Palace

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

Perhaps

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

princessnounUS /ˈprɪn.ses/

The daughter of a monarch; a female member of a royal family.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

reach

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

rekindled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

she

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

slowly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

Speak

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

startled

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Yes," I cried, startled at her candor, "to win your love."

such

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

then

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

Truth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

urged

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

Very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

were

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

who

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

will

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Very coldly she answered, "Not in the least;" and then fearlessly, like a princess in the Palace of Truth: "If ever a man comes who can awaken my heart, frankly and honestly I will confess it."

win

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

with

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

within

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

wooingly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Hope slowly rekindled within my breast, and then with half-closed eyes, and wooingly, she said:

Yes

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Yes," I cried, startled at her candor, "to win your love."

yet

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

you

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "And," I urged desperately, "you were not affected in the least?"

your

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading "Perhaps such a one lives," I said, "but has yet to reach the height to win you--your--" "Speak it," she said, "to win my love!"

Chapter 2 of The Fifth String by John Philip Sousa holds 212 sentences, grouped into 43 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 2 of The Fifth String contain?

Chapter 2 holds 212 sentences of The Fifth String, unabridged, divided into 43 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 2 of The Fifth String by John Philip Sousa exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 212 sentences, grouped into 43 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 2 of The Fifth String?

Work through the 43 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 43 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 2 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 2 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Fifth String

Common questions about reading The Fifth String by John Philip Sousa on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Fifth String?

Yes. All 1283 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #504 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Fifth String is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #504, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Fifth String take to read?

About 106 minutes of reading across 257 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Fifth String section by section

How to work through The Fifth String section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 6 chapters of The Fifth String to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Fifth String

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Fifth String, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Coming
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fifth String; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Diotti
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fifth String; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
America
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fifth String; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Awakened
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Fifth String; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.